Public Service Broadcasting: The Archival Electronica & Post-Rock Project

Public Service Broadcasting is a British musical project known for crafting immersive alternative rock and electronica soundscapes woven with archival audio samples. The group, masterminded by J. Willgoose, Esq., utilizes spoken-word clips from old public information films, documentaries, and propaganda to create conceptually rich, largely instrumental albums. Their unique approach has garnered a dedicated following and critical acclaim, with several albums charting in the UK Top 10.

Early career

Public Service Broadcasting began as the solo studio project of London-based multi-instrumentalist J. Willgoose, Esq. in 2009. The concept was firmly established with the early EP The War Room in 2012, which explored themes of conflict using samples from WWII-era films. This release laid the groundwork for their signature style, blending krautrock rhythms, post-rock guitars, and analogue synths with historical narration.

Breakthrough

The project's breakthrough arrived with their ambitious debut album, Inform - Educate - Entertain, released in 2013 on the independent label Test Card Recordings. The album, which creatively sampled footage about topics like the invention of television and mountaineering, peaked at number 21 on the UK Albums Chart, establishing PSB's distinctive niche. This success was solidified by extensive touring, where Willgoose was joined by drummer Wrigglesworth, transforming PSB into a powerful live act.

Key tracks

Spitfire - This driving, guitar-heavy track from the early EP became a live favorite, perfectly encapsulating the project's ability to build exhilarating music around iconic historical audio.

Everest - A standout from the debut album, this track builds a majestic, climbing post-rock atmosphere around samples from the 1953 film "The Conquest of Everest."

Gagarin - A celebratory, synth-led anthem dedicated to the first man in space, showcasing PSB's talent for creating uplifting, narrative-driven instrumentals.

Go! - The lead single from their 2015 album The Race for Space, this track captures the tension and triumph of the Apollo missions with pulsating electronics and soaring melodies.

The 2015 follow-up, The Race for Space, was a full-concept album documenting the Cold War space race and became their first UK Top 40 entry. Their third studio album, 2017's Every Valley, examined the rise and decline of the Welsh coal mining industry and debuted at number 9 in the UK. Later works like Bright Magic (2021) saw the project shifting focus to a more original, Berlin-inspired soundscape while retaining their electronic and experimental core.

Artists exploring a similar blend of atmospheric rock and electronic elements include Godspeed You! Black Emperor for their cinematic post-rock structures. The Notwist share a fusion of indie rock sentiment with detailed electronic production. The conceptual depth and use of found sound can be heard in the work of The Avalanches, though within a plunderphonics context. Finally, 65daysofstatic operate in a similar space of intense, instrumental post-rock fused with glitchy electronica.